Light-blocking system for a diagnostic analyzer

ABSTRACT

A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. non-provisional applicationSer. No. 14/214,190, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,303, filed on Mar. 14, 2014and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No.61/790,480, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, both of which are incorporated byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a selectively activated light-blocking systemfor a diagnostic analyzer.

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic analyzers for testing samples typically utilize a movingcarousel containing a processing path. The moving carousel holdsreaction vessels which contain samples to be tested by the diagnosticanalyzer. Pipetting devices transfer reagents into the reaction vesselsto be mixed with the samples. In order to diagnostically test thesamples containing the reagents, the pipetting devices transfer thesamples from the moving carousel to a testing device which is off-trackfrom the moving carousel. This increases cost, takes up space, anddecreases throughput.

A diagnostic analyzer is needed to overcome one or more of the issues ofone or more of the existing diagnostic analyzers.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The diagnosticanalyzer includes a track, at least one light-blocking member, a motor,and an optical testing device. The track is for moving a reaction vesselheld by the track. The at least one light-blocking member is disposedadjacent to the track. The at least one light-blocking member isconfigured to move from a first position apart from the track to asecond position closer to the track. When the at least onelight-blocking member is disposed in the first position a samplecontained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed tolight. When the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in thesecond position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held bythe track is blocked from exposure to the light by the at least onelight-blocking member. The motor is for moving the at least onelight-blocking member between the first and the second positions. Theoptical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for opticallytesting the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by thetrack when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in thesecond position blocking the sample from exposure to the light.

In another embodiment, a diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. Thediagnostic analyzer includes a track, two opposed sets of light-blockingmembers, at least one motor, a plurality of linkage members, and atleast one optical testing device. The track includes a plurality oflanes for holding reaction vessels containing samples. The two opposedsets of light-blocking members are disposed apart on opposite sides ofthe track. Each of the two opposed sets of light-blocking members areadjacent to a different one of the plurality of lanes. Each of the twoopposed sets of light-blocking members include a first light-blockingmember and a second light-blocking member. The plurality of linkagemembers connect the two opposed sets of light-blocking members to the atleast one motor. The at least one motor is configured to move the twoopposed sets of light-blocking members between a first position and asecond position. In the first position, the two opposed sets oflight-blocking members allow light exposure to the samples in thereaction vessels held in the plurality of lanes. In the second position,the two opposed sets of light-blocking members block light exposure tothe samples in the reaction vessels held in the plurality of lanes.

In still another embodiment, a method of diagnostically testing a sampleis disclosed. In one step, a track holding a reaction vessel, whichcontains a sample, is moved so that the reaction vessel is disposedadjacent to at least one light-blocking member in a first positiondisposed apart from the track allowing the sample to be exposed tolight. In another step, the at least one light-blocking member is movedfrom the first position to a second position closer to the track todispose the reaction vessel held by the track within at least a portionof the at least one light-blocking member to block the sample containedwithin the reaction vessel from exposure to the light. In an additionalstep, the sample is optically tested while the at least onelight-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appendedclaims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a diagnosticanalyzer system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a diagnostic analyzersystem;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one linear track of FIGS. 1 and2 removed from the diagnostic analyzer system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a testing device, disposed in aclosed position, which is used to test samples in a testing zone of thediagnostic analyzer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view through a moving track of thediagnostic analyzer of FIG. 1 with the testing device of FIG. 4 disposedin the closed position relative to the moving track;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view through a first light-blockingmember of the testing device of FIG. 4 while the first light-blockingmember is disposed in the closed position;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view through a first light-blockingmember and second light-blocking members of the testing device of FIG. 4while the first light-blocking member and the second light-blockingmembers are disposed in the closed position;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer of FIG. 5with a first light-blocking member and second light light-blockingmembers of the testing device disposed in an open position;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section view through the moving track of thediagnostic analyzer of FIG. 1 with the testing device of FIG. 4 disposedin the open position relative to the moving track;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section view through a first light-blockingmember and second light-blocking members of the testing device of FIG. 4while the first light-blocking member and the second light-blockingmembers are disposed in the open position;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer of FIG. 8with the first light-blocking member of the testing device havingadvanced upwardly and the second light-blocking members of the testingdevice having advanced downwardly as a result of a motor rotating tomove the testing device from the open position of FIG. 8 towards theclosed position;

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer of FIG. 11with the first light-blocking member of the testing device havingfurther advanced upwardly and the second light light-blocking members ofthe testing device having further advanced downwardly as a result of themotor moving the testing device closer to the closed position;

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer of FIG. 12with the first light-blocking member of the testing device having stillfurther advanced upwardly and the second light light-blocking members ofthe testing device having still further advanced downwardly as a resultof the motor rotating to move the testing device closer to the closedposition;

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG.13 with the first light-blocking member of the testing device havingfurther advanced upwardly to the closed position and the second lightlight-blocking members of the testing device having further advanceddownwardly to the closed position as a result of the motor rotating tomove the testing device; and

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a method of diagnostically testinga sample.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively illustrate a perspective view and a top viewof one embodiment of a diagnostic analyzer system 10. As showncollectively in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diagnostic analyzer system 10comprises a reaction vessel loading zone 12, a sample storage zone 14, areagent storage zone 16, a testing zone 18, and one or more processors19. The one or more processors 19 may control the actions of thediagnostic analyzer system 10. The reaction vessel loading zone 12comprises a zone which supplies reaction vessels 20 to the testing zone18 preferably using a robot 21. The sample storage zone 14 comprises azone which supplies samples 22 to the testing zone 18 for testing. Thesamples 22 comprise blood samples. The blood samples may be taken from amammal, a human, an animal, or any type of living creature. In otherembodiments, the samples 22 may vary. The reagent storage zone 16comprises a zone which supplies reagents 25 to the testing zone 18. Thetesting zone 18 comprises a zone which conducts testing on the samples22 to determine a measurement, a property, a trait, or a condition ofthe samples 22. The testing zone 18 comprises two linear tracks 24. Inother embodiments, the testing zone 18 may comprise any number of linearmoving tracks 24. The moving linear tracks 24 are made of stainlesssteel. The moving linear tracks 24 and the entire assemblies areconductive to eliminate a build-up of static electricity. The movinglinear tracks 24 are identical. In other embodiments, the moving lineartracks 24 may vary. Motor 26 provides power for moving the linear tracks24. In other embodiments, any number of motors 26 may be used to providepower for moving the linear tracks 24.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one of the linear tracks 24 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 removed from the diagnostic analyzer system 10. The lineartrack 24 comprises two outer processing lanes 28 and 30, and apre-treatment lane 32 which is disposed between and parallel to the twoouter processing lanes 28 and 30. As more thoroughly discussed below,the outer processing lanes 28 and 30 are used to conduct diagnostictests on samples. In other embodiments, the linear track 24 may compriseany number of processing and pre-treatment lanes in variedconfigurations. The linear track 24 is disposed around pulleys 34 and 36forming a continuous linear track 24. The motor 26 of FIG. 2 suppliespower to one or more of the pulleys 34 and 36 of FIG. 3 in order torotate the pulleys 34 and 36 in the clockwise direction 38. The rotationof the pulleys 34 and 36 causes the attached linear track 24 to rotatewith and around the pulleys 34 and 36 in the clockwise direction 38thereby moving the outer processing lanes 28 and 30 and thepre-treatment lane 32 of the linear track 24 identically. As a topportion 24 a of the linear track 24 moves in linear direction 40 due tothe rotation of the pulleys 34 and 36, the reaction vessels 20 held inplace within a plurality of slots 42 of the linear track 24 also move inlinear direction 40. The plurality of slots 42 are precision laser-cutslots of the linear track 24.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a testing device 44, disposedin a closed position, which is used to test samples 22 in the testingzone 18 of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates across-section view through a moving track 24 of the diagnostic analyzer10 of FIG. 1 with the testing device 44 of FIG. 4 disposed in the closedposition relative to the moving track 24. The closed position is alsoreferred to herein as the second position. The testing device 44 of thediagnostic analyzer 10 may be used to diagnostically analyze the samples22 contained within the reaction vessels 20 held within the slots 42 ofthe processing lanes 28 and 30 of the moving track 24 in order todetermine a trait, characteristic, property, or condition of the samples22. The slots 42 within the pre-treatment lane 32 of the moving track 24also contain reaction vessels 20 but the testing device 44 of thediagnostic analyzer 10 is not used to diagnostically analyze samples inthe reaction vessels 20 held by the pre-treatment lane 32.

As shown collectively in FIGS. 4 and 5, the diagnostic analyzer 10comprises in-part: the moving track 24; bottom housing 46; top housing48; motor 50; shaft 52; linkage members 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 66,68, and 70; frame members 72 and 74; first light-blocking members 76 and78; second light-blocking members 80, 82, 84, and 86; optical testingdevices 88 and 90; pre-trigger devices 92 and 93; and trigger devices 94and 95.

The processor 19 of FIG. 2 causes the motor 26 of FIG. 2 tointermittently move the moving track 24 of FIG. 5 in direction 40 suchthat the reaction vessels 20 held by the slots 42 of the processinglanes 28 and 30 are each disposed at location 96 for a pre-determinedtime delay. The optical testing devices 88 and 90 are located atlocation 96 for diagnostically testing the samples 22 contained in thereaction vessels 20 held by the slots 42 of the processing lanes 28 and30.

The slots 42 of the processing lanes 28 and 30 and the slots 42 of thepre-treatment lane 32 are each aligned with separate respectiveelongated channels 98 of the bottom housing 46 which is disposed belowthe moving track 24. The separate respective elongated channels 98 ofthe bottom housing 46 are sized to hold bottom portions 100 of thereaction vessels 20 which are extended through the slots 42 in theprocessing lanes 28 and 30 and through the slots 42 in the pre-treatmentlane 32. Similarly, the slots 42 of the processing lanes 28 and 30 andthe slots 42 of the pre-treatment lane 32 are each aligned with separaterespective elongated channels 102 of the top housing 48 which isdisposed above the moving track 24. The separate respective elongatedchannels 102 of the top housing 48 are sized to hold top portions 104 ofthe reaction vessels 20 which are extended through the slots 42 in theprocessing lanes 28 and 30 and through the slots 42 in the pre-treatmentlane 32. In such manner, when the moving track 24 advances in direction40 the reaction vessels 20 held in the slots 42 of the track 24 areconfigured to move through the elongated channels 98 and 102 of thebottom and top housings 46 and 48 in direction 40.

As shown collectively in FIG. 4, the motor 50 is connected to shaft 52for rotating the shaft one-hundred-eighty degrees (180 degrees) back andforth in directions 106 and 107. Shaft 52 is fixedly attached to linkagemember 54 such that linkage member 54 rotates with the shaft 52. Linkagemember 54 is pivotally attached to linkage member 56 such that movementof linkage member 54 causes linkage member 56 to pivot. Linkage member56 is pivotally attached to linkage member 58 such that pivoting oflinkage member 56 causes linkage member 58 to slide up in direction 108or down in direction 109 within compartment 110 of the firstlight-blocking member 76. When linkage member 58 is moved upwardly indirection 108 within compartment 110 a portion 112 of the linkage member58 abuts against a top ledge 114 of the compartment 110 of the firstlight-blocking member 76 causing the first light-blocking member 76 tomove upwardly in direction 108 into the closed position while slidingalong frame member 72 to which it is moveably attached.

Linkage member 56 is also pivotally attached to linkage member 59 suchthat pivoting of linkage member 56 also causes linkage member 59 toslide up in direction 108 or down in direction 109 within compartment116 of the first light-blocking member 78. When linkage member 59 ismoved upwardly in direction 108 within compartment 116 a portion 118 ofthe linkage member 59 abuts against a top ledge 120 of the compartment116 of the first light-blocking member 78 causing the firstlight-blocking member 78 to move upwardly in direction 108 while slidingalong frame member 74 to which it is moveably attached.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view through the first light-blockingmember 76 of the testing device 44 of FIG. 4 while the firstlight-blocking member 76 is disposed in the closed position. As shown,the first light-blocking member 76 comprises a plurality of innercompartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c having open top ends. When the firstlight-blocking member 76 is disposed in the closed position theplurality of inner compartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c of the firstlight-blocking member 76 each enclose a separate respective reactionvessel 20 each holding a separate respective sample 22. While in thisclosed position, the first light-blocking member 76 is disposed withinthe elongated channel 98 a (See FIG. 5) of the bottom housing 46 andabuts against a bottom of the track 24 completing enclosing the reactionvessels 20 within the compartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c of the firstlight-blocking member 76. While in this closed position, the framemember 74 and an optical reader 88 a of the optical testing device 88form walls of the inner compartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c. The firstlight-blocking member 78 of FIG. 4 is a mirror image of the firstlight-blocking member 76 and functions the same way to enclose reactionvessels 20 disposed on the other side of the testing device 44 when thefirst light-blocking member 78 is disposed in the closed position.

When linkage member 58 of FIG. 4 is moved downwardly in direction 109within compartment 110 the portion 112 of the linkage member 58 abutsagainst a bottom ledge 122 of the compartment 110 of the firstlight-blocking member 76 causing the first light-blocking member 76 tomove downwardly in direction 109 while sliding along frame member 72 towhich it is moveably attached. When linkage member 59 is moveddownwardly in direction 109 within compartment 116 the portion 118 ofthe linkage member 59 abuts against a bottom ledge 124 of thecompartment 116 of the first light-blocking member 78 causing the firstlight-blocking member 78 to move downwardly in direction 109 whilesliding along frame member 74 to which it is moveably attached.

When linkage members 58 and 59 are moved upwardly in direction 108 theyextend through holes 126 (see FIG. 5) in the track 24 and make contactwith tabs 128 and 130 of linkage member 70 causing linkage member 70 tomove upward in direction 108 through hole 132 in the top housing 48.This upward movement of the linkage member 70 in direction 108 causeslinkage member 68, which is disposed above the top housing 48 andfixedly attached to linkage member 70, to also move upwardly indirection 108. Linkage members 60, 62, 64, and 66 are pivotally attachedto linkage member 68. One or more pins 132 extend in fixed attachmentwithin the top housing 48 through channels 134 and 136 in linkagemembers 60 and 64. Another one or more pins 138 extends in fixedattachment within the top housing 48 through channels 140 and 142 inlinkage members 62 and 66. Linkage members 60, 62, 64, and 66 extendthrough holes 144 and 146 in the top housing 48.

Upward movement of the linkage member 68 in direction 108 (due to thelinked movement previously described) causes attached linkage members 60and 64 to pivot relative to the linkage member 68 and relative to thefixed pin 132. This causes, in a teeter-totter movement, top portions148 and 150 of linkage members 60 and 64 to move upwardly in direction108 and causes bottom portions 152 and 154 of linkage members 60 and 64to move downwardly in direction 109. This downward movement of thebottom portions 152 and 154 of linkage members 60 and 64 in direction109 causes the respectively attached second light-blocking members 80and 84 to also travel downward in direction 109 in order to abut againstthe track 24 in the closed position.

The upward movement of the linkage member 68 in direction 108 alsocauses attached linkage members 62 and 66 to pivot relative to thelinkage member 68 and relative to the fixed pin 138. This causes, in ateeter-totter movement, top portions 156 and 158 of linkage members 62and 66 to move upwardly in direction 108 and also causes bottom portions160 and 162 of linkage members 62 and 66 to move downwardly in direction109. This downward movement of the bottom portions 160 and 162 oflinkage members 62 and 66 in direction 109 causes the respectivelyattached second light-blocking members 82 and 86 to also travel downwardin direction 109 in order to abut against the track 24 in the closedposition.

The second light-blocking members 80 and 84 comprise shutters. In theclosed position the second light-blocking members 80 and 84 are disposedin the elongated channel 102 a of the top housing 48 abutted against thetrack 24 at least partially surrounding reaction vessels 20 a and 20 bwhich are disposed on opposite sides 20 c and 20 d of reaction vessel 20e. When in the closed position, the second light-blocking members 80 and84 enclose the reaction vessel 20 e between the second light-blockingmembers 80 and 84 within the elongated channel 102 a of the top housing48. In this closed position the second light-blocking member 84 blockslight 164 emanating from a top portion 104 b of reaction vessel 20 bfrom reaching the reaction vessel 20 e. The light 164 was created due tothe pre-trigger device 92 having injected a pre-trigger solution intoreaction vessel 20 b at location 165.

In this closed position the second light-blocking member 80 blocks light168 emanating from a top portion 104 a of reaction vessel 20 a fromreaching the reaction vessel 20 e. The light 168 results due to thetrigger device 94 injecting a trigger solution into reaction vessel 20 bat location 96 which creates the light 168. While in this closedposition, with light 164 and 168 being blocked above the track 24 by thesecond light-blocking members 84 and 80, the optical testing device 88is used to diagnostically test the sample 22 within reaction vessel 20e. The optical testing device 88 may comprise a chemiluminescenceoptical testing device. In other embodiments, the optical testing device88 may vary.

The second light-blocking members 82 and 86 also comprise shutters. Inthe closed position the second light-blocking members 82 and 86 aredisposed in the elongated channel 102 b of the top housing 48 abuttedagainst the track 24 at least partially surrounding reaction vessels 20f and 20 g which are disposed on opposite sides of reaction vessel 20 h.When in the closed position, the second light-blocking members 82 and 86enclose the reaction vessel 20 h between the second light-blockingmembers 82 and 86 within the elongated channel 102 b of the top housing48. In this closed position the second light-blocking member 86 blockslight 172 emanating from a top portion 104 g of reaction vessel 20 gfrom reaching the vessel 20 h. The light 172 results due to thepre-trigger device 93 having injected a pre-trigger solution intoreaction vessel 20 g at location 165.

In this closed position the second light-blocking member 82 blocks light176 emanating from a top portion 104 f of reaction vessel 20 f fromreaching the reaction vessel 20 h. The light 176 results due to thetrigger device 95 injecting a trigger solution into reaction vessel 20 fat location 96. While in this closed position, with light 172 and 176being blocked above the track 24 by the second light-blocking members 86and 82, the optical testing device 90 (see FIG. 4) is used todiagnostically test the sample 22 within reaction vessel 20 h. Theoptical testing device 90 may comprise a chemiluminescence opticaltesting device. In other embodiments, the optical testing device 90 mayvary.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view through the first light-blockingmember 76 and the second light-blocking members 80 and 84 of the testingdevice 44 of FIG. 4 while the first light-blocking member 76 and thesecond light-blocking members 80 and 84 are disposed in the closedposition. As shown, in this closed position the plurality of innercompartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c of the first light-blocking member 76each completely enclose a separate respective reaction vessel 20 eachholding a separate respective sample 22. While in this closed position,the first light-blocking member 76 is disposed against a bottom of thetrack 24 (see FIG. 5) completing enclosing the reaction vessels 20within the inner compartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c of the firstlight-blocking member 76. In this closed position, as shown in FIG. 6,the frame member 74 and the optical reader 88 a of the optical testingdevice 88 form walls of the inner compartments 76 a, 76 b, and 76 c. Asshown in FIG. 7, when the first light-blocking member 76 is disposed inthis closed position the light 164 emanating from the reaction vessel 20b is blocked from reaching the bottom portion 100 of reaction vessel 20e below the track 24 (see FIG. 5) due to the separated innercompartments 76 c and 76 b of the first light-blocking member 76.Similarly, while the first light-blocking member 76 is disposed in thisclosed position the light 168 emanating from the reaction vessel 20 a isblocked from reaching the bottom portion 100 of reaction vessel 20 ebelow the track 24 (see FIG. 5) due to the separated inner compartments76 a and 76 b of the first light-blocking member 76. The firstlight-blocking member 78 (see FIG. 4) is a mirror image of the firstlight-blocking member 76 and functions the same way to block light fromthe reaction vessels disposed on the other side of the testing device 44when disposed in the closed position.

Additionally, the second light-blocking members 80 and 84 in the closedposition enclose the reaction vessel 20 e between the secondlight-blocking members 80 and 84 within the elongated channel 102 a (seeFIG. 5) of the top housing 48 (see FIG. 5) thereby blocking therespective light 168 and 164 emanating from the reaction vessels 20 aand 20 b from reaching the top portion 104 of the reaction vessel 20 eabove the track 24 (see FIG. 5). The second light-blocking members 82and 86 (see FIG. 5) are mirror images of the second light-blockingmembers 80 and 84 and function the same way to block light from thereaction vessels disposed on the other side of the testing device 44when disposed in the closed position.

In such manner, as shown collectively in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, when thefirst light-blocking members 76 and 78 and the second light blockingmembers 80, 82, 84, and 86 are disposed in the closed positions thesamples 22 contained in the reaction vessels 20 e and 20 h being testedby the optical testing devices 88 and 90 are blocked from exposure tolight both above and below the track 24. This is important as theexposure of the samples 22 contained in the reaction vessels 20 e and 20h to light during testing can reduce the accuracy of the diagnostictesting of the samples.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG. 5with the first light-blocking member 76 and the second lightlight-blocking members 80 and 84 (hidden from view) of the testingdevice 44 disposed in an open position (also referred to as the firstposition). It is noted that the first light-blocking member 78, thesecond light-blocking members 82 and 86, and the linkage members 59, 62,and 66 of FIGS. 4 and 5 are not shown to simplify the figure. As shown,the motor 50 has rotated so that the linkage members 54, 56, and 58 havemoved in downward direction 109 thereby moving the first light-blockingmember 76 apart from the bottom housing 46 and disposing the reactionvessels 20 outside of the inner compartments of the first light-blockingmember 76.

Due to this downward movement, the linkage member 58 has been removedfrom contact with the tab 128 of the linkage member 70. Due to thelinkage member 70 being biased in the downward direction 109 as a resultof biasing member 180 the linkage member 70 has moved in the downwarddirection 109. This downward movement of linkage member 70 hascorrespondingly moved linkage member 68 in the downward direction 109causing attached linkage members 60 and 64 (hidden from view) to pivotrelative to the linkage member 68 and relative to the fixed pin 132.This has caused a teeter-totter movement causing top portions 148 and150 (hidden from view) of linkage members 60 and 64 (hidden from view)to move downwardly in direction 109, and causing bottom portions 152 and154 (hidden from view) of linkage members 60 and 64 (hidden from view)to move upwardly in direction 108. This upward movement of the bottomportions 152 and 154 (hidden from view) of linkage members 60 and 64(hidden from view) in direction 108 has caused the respectively attachedsecond light-blocking members 80 and 84 (hidden from view) to alsotravel upward in direction 108 so that they are disposed in the openposition apart from the track 24 (see FIG. 5) and at least partiallyoutside of the top housing 48, and outside of the elongated channels 102a of the top housing 48.

The exact same mirrored movement occurs with respect to the not-shownfirst light-blocking member 78, the second light-blocking members 82 and86, and the linkage members 59, 62, and 66, causing the secondlight-blocking members 82 and 86 to also be disposed in the identicalopen position apart from the track 24 and at least partially outside ofthe top housing 48, and outside of the elongated channels 102 b of thetop housing 48.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section view through the moving track 24 ofthe diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG. 1 with the testing device 44 of FIG.4 disposed in the open position relative to the moving track 24. FIG. 10illustrates a cross-section view through the first light-blocking member76 and the second light-blocking members 80 and 84 of the testing device44 of FIG. 4 while the first light-blocking member 76 and the secondlight-blocking members 80 and 84 are disposed in the open position. Asshown collectively in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the second light-blockingmembers 80, 82, 84, and 86 are disposed in the open position apart fromthe track 24, and at least partially outside of the top housing 48, andoutside of the elongated channels 102 a and 102 b of the top housing 48.When the first light-blocking members 76 and 78 (hidden from view) andthe second light-blocking members 80, 82, 84, and 86 are disposed in theopen positions of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the reaction vessels 20 are freeto move in direction 40 through the elongated channels 102 a and 102 bof the top housing 48 and through the elongated channels 98 of thebottom housing 46 as the track 24 moves in direction 40.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG. 8with the first light-blocking member 76 of the testing device 44 havingadvanced upwardly in direction 108, and the second light-blockingmembers 80 and 84 (hidden from view) of the testing device 44 havingadvanced downwardly in direction 109 as a result of the motor 50rotating to move the testing device 44 from the open position of FIG. 8towards the closed position. The reaction vessels 20 are beginning to beenclosed by the first light-blocking member 76 and the secondlight-blocking members 80 and 84 (hidden from view) are beginning to atleast partially block the elongated channel 102 a of the top housing 48.As noted previously, the first light-blocking member 78, the secondlight-blocking members 82 and 86, and the linkage members 59, 62, and 66are not shown to simplify the figure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG.11 with the first light-blocking member 76 of the testing device 44having further advanced upwardly in direction 108 and the second lightlight-blocking members 80 and 84 (hidden from view) of the testingdevice 44 having further advanced downwardly in direction 109 as aresult of the motor 50 rotating to move the testing device 44 closer tothe closed position. The reaction vessels 20 are further enclosed by thefirst light-blocking member 76 and the second light-blocking members 80and 84 (hidden from view) are further blocking the elongated channel 102a of the top housing 48. As noted previously, the first light-blockingmember 78, the second light-blocking members 82 and 86, and the linkagemembers 59, 62, and 66 are not shown to simplify the figure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG.12 with the first light-blocking member 76 of the testing device 44having still further advanced upwardly in direction 108 and the secondlight light-blocking members 80 and 84 (hidden from view) of the testingdevice 44 having still further advanced downwardly in direction 109 as aresult of the motor 50 rotating to move the testing device 44 closer tothe closed position. The reaction vessels 20 are still further enclosedby the first light-blocking member 76 and the second light-blockingmembers 80 and 84 (hidden from view) are still further blocking theelongated channel 102 a of the top housing 48. As noted previously, thefirst light-blocking member 78, the second light-blocking members 82 and86, and the linkage members 59, 62, and 66 are not shown to simplify thefigure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of the diagnostic analyzer 10 of FIG.13 with the first light-blocking member 76 of the testing device 44having further advanced upwardly in direction 108 to the closed positionand the second light light-blocking members 80 and 84 (hidden from view)of the testing device 44 having further advanced downwardly in direction109 to the closed position as a result of the motor 50 rotating to movethe testing device 44. The reaction vessels 20 are completely enclosedby the first light-blocking member 76 and the second light-blockingmembers 80 and 84 (hidden from view) are blocking the elongated channel102 a of the top housing 48. As noted previously, the firstlight-blocking member 78, the second light-blocking members 82 and 86,and the linkage members 59, 62, and 66 are not shown to simplify thefigure.

By further rotation of the motor 50 the process repeats itself and thetesting device 44 can be moved from the closed position of FIG. 14 backthrough the interim positions of FIGS. 13, 12, and 11 to the openposition of FIG. 8. In such manner, the motor 50 can open and close thetesting device 44 to allow the reaction vessels 20 to move through theelongated channels 102 a and 102 b (see FIG. 9) of the top housing 48and to move through the elongated channels 98 (see FIG. 9) of the bottomhousing 46 when the testing device 44 is in the open position, and toblock light from entering into the reaction vessel 20 being tested bythe optical testing devices 88 and 90 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) when thetesting device 44 is disposed in the closed position.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a method 200 of diagnosticallytesting a sample. In step 202, a reaction vessel is disposed through aslot in a track so that the reaction vessel is held by the slot. In step204, a track is moved holding the reaction vessel, which contains asample, so that the reaction vessel is disposed adjacent to at least onelight-blocking member in a first position disposed apart from the trackallowing the sample to be exposed to light. The track may be linear. Inthe first position a first light-blocking member may be disposed belowthe track and a second light-blocking member may be disposed above thetrack. The first light-blocking member may comprise an inner compartmenthaving an open top end, and the second light-blocking member maycomprise a shutter. In the first position the first light-blockingmember may be disposed under the track apart from an elongated channelof a bottom housing with the elongated channel holding a bottom portionof the reaction vessel. In the first position the second light-blockingmember may be disposed over the track apart from an elongated channel ofa top housing with the elongated channel holding a top portion of thereaction vessel. In the first position samples contained within reactionvessels, held on opposite sides of the track, may be exposed to light.

In step 206, the at least one light-blocking member is moved from thefirst position to a second position closer to the track to dispose thereaction vessel held by the track within at least a portion of the atleast one light-blocking member to block the sample contained within thereaction vessel from exposure to the light. This step may comprisemoving the first and the second light-blocking members with a motorconnected to a plurality of linkage members which are connected to thefirst and second light-blocking members. This step may further comprisemoving the first light-blocking member relative to an attached framemember so that an optical reader of an optical testing device isdisposed, when in the second position, adjacent to an inner compartmentformed between the first light-blocking member and the attached framemember.

In the second position the first and second light-blocking members mayat least partially close around the reaction vessel to block the samplecontained within the reaction vessel from exposure to the light. In thesecond position the first light-blocking member may be disposed againsta bottom surface of the track and the second light-blocking member maybe disposed against a top surface of the track. In the second positionthe first light-blocking member may be disposed under the track withinthe elongated channel around the bottom portion of the reaction vessel.In the second position the second light-blocking member may be disposedwithin the elongated channel against the top portion of the track andadjacent to a side of the reaction vessel. In the second position abottom portion of the reaction vessel may be disposed in an innercompartment of the first light-blocking member below a bottom portion ofthe track.

In the second position a shutter of the second light-blocking member maybe disposed against a top portion of the track in-between the reactionvessel and a second reaction vessel held by the track with the shutterblocking the sample from exposure to the light from a second sampledisposed within the second reaction vessel. In the second position abottom portion of the reaction vessel may be disposed in one of aplurality of inner compartments of the first light-blocking member belowa bottom portion of the track. In the second position a plurality ofshutters of the second light-blocking member may be disposed on oppositesides of the reaction vessel against a top portion of the trackin-between the reaction vessel and additional reaction vessels held bythe track with the plurality of shutters blocking the sample fromexposure to the light from additional samples disposed within theadditional reaction vessels. In the second position each of separaterespective light-blocking members disposed at opposite sides of thetrack may block the samples contained within the reaction vessels, heldon the opposite sides of the track, from exposure to the light.

In step 208, the sample is optically tested while the at least onelight-blocking member is disposed in the second position. Step 208 maycomprise conducting a chemiluminescence test on the sample. In otherembodiments of the method 200, one or more of the steps may be modifiedin substance or order, one or more of the steps may not be followed, orone or more steps may be added.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may reduce one or more issuesof one or more of the existing diagnostic analyzers by: increasingthroughput of the diagnostic analyzer as a result of the samples beingtested directly on the processing path; taking up less space as a resultof the testing device being located directly on the processing path ofthe linear track of the diagnostic analyzer; and reducing manufacturingcost as a result of the simple and relatively inexpensive testing deviceof the diagnostic analyzer of the disclosure.

The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is defined bythe appended claims. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A diagnostic analyzer comprising: a trackconfigured to move a reaction vessel held by the track; at least onelight-blocking member disposed adjacent to the track, the at least onelight-blocking member configured to move from a first position apartfrom the track to a second position closer to the track, wherein whenthe at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the first positiona sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track isexposed to light, and when the at least one light-blocking member isdisposed in the second position the sample contained within the reactionvessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light by the atleast one light-blocking member; a motor configured to move the at leastone light-blocking member between the first and the second positions;and an optical testing device disposed adjacent to the track andconfigured to optically test the sample contained within the reactionvessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member isdisposed in the second position blocking the sample from exposure to thelight.
 2. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1 wherein the at least onelight-blocking member comprises a first light-blocking member and asecond light-blocking member, wherein in the second position the firstand the second light-blocking members at least partially close aroundthe reaction vessel to block the sample contained within the reactionvessel from exposure to the light.
 3. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 2wherein the track further comprises a slot disposed through the track,the reaction vessel extending through the slot so that a top portion ofthe reaction vessel is disposed above the track and a bottom portion ofthe reaction vessel is disposed below the track.
 4. The diagnosticanalyzer of claim 2 wherein in the first position the firstlight-blocking member is disposed below the track and the secondlight-blocking member is disposed above the track.
 5. The diagnosticanalyzer of claim 2 wherein in the second position the firstlight-blocking member is disposed against a bottom surface of the trackand the second light-blocking member is disposed against a top surfaceof the track.
 6. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 2 further comprising abottom housing disposed under the track, the bottom housing comprisingan elongated channel sized to hold a bottom portion of the reactionvessel, wherein in the first position the first light-blocking member isdisposed under the track apart from the elongated channel and in thesecond position the first light-blocking member is disposed under thetrack within the elongated channel around the bottom portion of thereaction vessel.
 7. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 2 furthercomprising a top housing disposed over the track, the top housingcomprising an elongated channel sized to hold a top portion of thereaction vessel, wherein in the first position the second light-blockingmember is disposed over the track apart from the elongated channel andin the second position the second light-blocking member is disposedwithin the elongated channel against the top portion of the track andadjacent to a side of the reaction vessel.
 8. The diagnostic analyzer ofclaim 2 wherein the first and the second light-blocking members areconnected by a plurality of linkage members, and the motor is connectedto the plurality of linkage members.
 9. The diagnostic analyzer of claim2 wherein the first light-blocking member comprises an inner compartmenthaving an open top end, and the second light-blocking member comprises ashutter, wherein in the second position a bottom portion of the reactionvessel is disposed in the inner compartment of the first light-blockingmember below a bottom portion of the track and the shutter is disposedagainst a top portion of the track in-between the reaction vessel and asecond reaction vessel held by the track with the shutter blocking thesample from exposure to the light from a second sample disposed withinthe second reaction vessel.
 10. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 2wherein the first light-blocking member is moveably attached to a framemember, wherein in the second position an inner compartment formedbetween the first light-blocking member and the frame member is disposedadjacent to an optical reader of the optical testing device.
 11. Thediagnostic analyzer of claim 1 wherein the track comprises a continuoustrack disposed around pulleys.
 12. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1wherein the at least one light-blocking member is configured to movevertically.
 13. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 2 wherein the firstlight-blocking member and the second light-blocking member are eachconfigured to move vertically.
 14. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 1wherein the at least one light-blocking member is entirely disposedeither above or below the track.
 15. The diagnostic analyzer of claim 2wherein the first light-blocking member is entirely disposed below thetrack, and the second light-blocking member is entirely disposed abovethe track.